Novel



Two graphic novels were written by Shin-Ya Goikeda with the assistance of Hideki Kamiya, the series creator. The first, Devil May Cry Volume 1, details the events of Dante's life prior to Devil May Cry, while the second, Devil May Cry Volume 2, spans the period between Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 2.

Controversy
After the novels were published, new games and media were released, forcing much of the story of the novels out of canon. Of particular concern is the character of Gilver, who is Vergil in disguise. Because of the events of Devil May Cry 3, the community generally accepts that Vergil cannot be Gilver, and thus, the sequences of the novel involving him are non-canon.

Other parts of the novels are still disputed. The first volume introduces Dante's alias as "Tony Redgrave," a name which is also mentioned in the Anime and engraved on the handguns Luce & Ombra, and Ebony & Ivory. Also engraved on Dante's handguns is the name of the gunshop owned Nell Goldstein, .45 Art Warks. The shop name on Dante's guns appearing canonically in-game suggests that at least parts of the novels remain within the canon story.

The second novel is generally accepted as non-canon, as the bizarre chain of events therein introduces a parallel human world with drastically changed bosses and characters from Devil May Cry.